Lot 19
Debussy, Claude (1862-1918) French composer. Autograph letter signed ("Claude Debussy"), 2 pages, 5 7/8 x 5 in. (c. 150 x 129mm) (Paris), Oct. 8, 1906. Light toning; a horizontal fold traverses the signature. To the singer Georgette Leblanc, about "Pélléas et Mélisande," informing her that Jacques Durand has just shown him an article in "L'Eventail," a Belgian magazine, which does not mention her name in connection with an upcoming performance of "Pélléas" in Brussels. He assures her that he had nothing to do with this change and that he would have been happy to see her in the role of Mélisande. He didn't doubt that she would have made a "more than interesting creation" of the role. He pleads ignorance of the workings of the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels and is unable to assign blame.
Pelléas et Mélisande is an opera in five acts with music by Debussy. The libretto was adapted from Maurice Maeterlinck's eponymous play. Georgette Leblanc was playwright Maeterlinck's longtime mistress and Maeterlinck had wanted her to create the role of Mélisande. For the 1902 premiere of the opera, Debussy had insisted that Mary Gardner sing the role. Four years later, Debussy is anxious to avoid incurring the wrath of Maeterlinck.
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000.
Sotheby's London, Dec. 8, 2000, lot 51.
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| Realized $3,960 |
